The Warriors made sure of that, one week after their overtime loss to South Cobb.

Most of the mistakes North Cobb made in its previous game were corrected, and the Warriors came up with solid game plans on both sides of the ball en route to a 41-14 victory over Hillgrove in a Region 4AAAAAA game at Emory Sewell Stadium.

After giving up two turnovers last week, the Warriors (5-1, 4-1) didn’t turn the ball over against the Hawks (3-3, 2-2), and they were penalized just four times for 40 yards, instead of their previous tally of nine times for 75.

“I told our kids we didn’t play very well last week,” North Cobb coach Shane Queen said. “We couldn’t let South Cobb beat us twice — meaning that we couldn’t let it carry over into this week — and that was answered very quickly.”

North Cobb’s defense shut down Hillgrove for the first three quarters, while quarterback Tyler Queen brought the offense to life with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

No doubt, North Cobb had one of its better games of the season against a prolific Hillgrove offense.

The Warriors’ secondary gave Hillgrove quarterback Troy Thompson fits for most of the first half by swarming his receivers. Meanwhile, defensive lineman Eghosa Agbonghae and linebacker Jali Kuku led the front seven in applying constant pressure to the Hawks’ backfield.

Thompson, who was fifth in Cobb County with 909 passing yards coming into Friday’s game, was only 5-of-16 for 77 yards against North Cobb. He misfired on six straight pass attempts at one point, many of which were broken up by the Warriors’ secondary.

A defensive play by North Cobb early in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach. Hakeem Sawyer sacked Thompson on a fourth-down play from the Hillgrove 44, Thompson lost the ball as he went down to the turf, and Trenton Pruett was there to scoop it up for a touchdown to give the Warriors a 34-0 lead.

“We broke on balls (Friday),” Shane Queen said of his defense. We were there and made the plays.”

The Warriors didn’t have to rely on their dynamic receiving duo of Xavier Borishade and Nick Miller. They combined for two catches and just 15 yards, but they each had rushing touchdowns.

If the opening drive was any indication, the Warriors planned on gaining most of their yards on the ground. Tyler Queen had runs of 24 and 36 yards on the first drive before J’Vonte Herrod finished it off with a 1-yard run that put North Cobb on the board.

A costly pass-interference penalty against Hillgrove’ defense helped set up North Cobb’s second touchdown, on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Queen, and Borishade sprinted 13 yards for a score following a blocked punt to put North Cobb ahead 21-0 at the break.

North Cobb chewed 7 minutes off the clock in its first drive of the second half before Queen found the end zone from 10 yards out. And Queen’s 16-yard run midway through the fourth quarter set up North Cobb’s final touchdown, a 22-yard run by Miller.

Hillgrove avoided the shutout early in the fourth quarter, on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Ironside to Evan Engram. Evan Arnold scored a late touchdown late on a 1-yard plunge.

“It’s always a work in progress,” Hillgrove coach Phil Ironside said of the loss. “We’ll have to come to practice Monday and work, and just get better for the next one.”

Coach S. Thanks for your frank and personal look behind the scenes look as a middle school coach. Thanks for all u do and best of luck the rest of the way. If you're doing all that then it can o ly mean good things ahead for the Hawks.

response to NOT common sense. Dude, if you can’t make any positive remarks and offer any positive insights, don’t waste the readers’ time. Receivers drop balls they usually catch in every pound ball, middle school, college, professional game every week. Saying the o-line sucks? Really? The offensive line is the least of the Hawks problems but this group has experienced injuries JUST like all teams. Of course they never receive ANY recognition except when there is a holding penalty or the QB gets sacked. Shut it about the O line. Hillgrove will be fine this season and for years to come. Maybe the other schools have better teams this year and some kids have transferred to different schools. It happens. If you want to speak to me directly, I am the white guy sitting besides # 1’s dad when we play Kenn Mtn this Friday.

@where is Jobo first im not sure why i need to speak to you? 2nd Im not the one!Now let me say this in my comment after reading it i could see someone like yourself misinterpreting part of what i was saying. THE LINE SUCKS! you got that part right. the other part i was responding to @ridicuous comment about the team and stating that the kid he ref. to wasnt the only one that drop passes, they all did and that happens.the is a blog i can say any and everything i like and everything i put out there is not neg. just look at the post after some of the other games...one question for you"white guy sitting next to #1 dad" what about this team needs mor help then the O-line?

common sense

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October 17, 2012

@where is jobo and if you wanna know how I feel about #1 read my comment i left couple days ago on the article MDJ did on him.....

Coach S

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October 16, 2012

@Amateur analyst,and Billy Mays here

Well once again they turn-As a coach I spend all of my off season time trying to develop talent for free!! But you know what your kids don't come and expect to show up to practice and play. Your Days, Chubs, Drakes, McCune and your Tews Work extremely hard in the off-season, thats how they get that good. Yes they are talented, but they work hard to be good players. If your going to complain grab a whistle and get on the field. If not step aside and let us do our volunteer jobs. If you can coach the High school better, get your teaching diploma and start coaching.

Please accept my sincere apology if you interpreted my comments to be insulting. As a parent, I couldnt be more grateful for the uncompensated time our coaches volunteer. My family is very involved with our sports programs and try to do everything we can to help. My kids work extremely hard both on and off-season and if they play their cards right will reap the benefits.

With all due respect, I am entitled to my opinion and wont apologize for that.

Billy Mays here...

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October 17, 2012

Coach S...just like Amateur Analyst, I will not apologize for stating my opinion. All I said is the middle school program is not a developmental program because the coaches are not prepared nor are they qualified to develop the kids that are not as gifted as the ones that come through the program and I stand by that. The constant yelling and screaming that goes on at practices and not teaching points this out. I'd venture to say most kids know cover 2 from cover 4 after being in the middle school program. Are middle school coaches going to clinics to other high schools or colleges to stay abreast of various techniques and drills? Have they sat down w/the varsity staff one on one to learn the philosophy of the offense, defense or special teams. Are middle school coaches even former college or pro players or do they have a kid somewhere w/in the system? I'm willing to bet not alot of this is happening. If it is more power to the program and better days are ahead. If not, then we as fans will continue to see the fruits of your "developing" players. Have a nice day.

Coach S

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October 17, 2012

I think all would be surprised with the time and effort middle school coaches put into these teams. I can only speak for the teams that I have been on. 6th, 7th and 8th... (So now most of you know who I am) It starts with going to the Coaches Clinic put on by Riddell in January (they last from Thursday to Sunday all day). Meeting with the entire High School Coaching staff to learn what their philosophies and Teaching points are. Then we spend one week during the summer allowing the high School Coaches to take over our practices and teach us and the Kids the plays and how to coach them.

I want to give you a little incite to Coaching. Has you child ever come home from school saying that his teacher doesn't like them. So you schedule an appointment to meet with the teacher. When you meet you find out that there is allot of things that your kid left out about what he or she is doing in class. Its happen to me!! What I learned is no to jump to conclusions and to pay attention to my kids behavior.

I would challenge you to watch a practice( the entire practice)and pick out the things that your child struggles with. Is he standing at the back of the group? Not paying attention and doesn't know the plays when he gets in. Watch a game! Not for the touch downs... Watch what your son is doing. Is the player that normally plays that position that much better at it. What Can I do as a Mom or Dad to make them better? Do I need outside help?

As far as the High School goes we have had better than winning seasons every year ever since we hit 4A. This will be the first year that we really struggled. I credit Coach I and his staff. Because in Georgia that is hard to do! Look there are plenty of schools in our region that have the talent of that we have had but they still cant win games. Why.... Coaching. He's not alway going to call the perfect play. The kids (and I stress Kids) arent always going to run the play as it was designed but.. We are beating the teams that we should and competing with the team that are difficult. Let just support them in anyway we can.

Coach S

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October 17, 2012

By the way I and a few other coaches on our team have College and Semi-pro Exp. And on of the other coaches is in the coaching Hall of Fame check out the league website.

Amateur analyst

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October 15, 2012

Sadly, you cant play all 140 players and all of these kids KNOW THIS. With this many players, unless you are Drake #17 it is doubtful that you will get much PT before junior year. It is difficult to get 40-45 players their minimum 10 plays at lb ball. That said, development has to happen at the middle school level. Plently of practice time at middle school to get in good reps, unfortunately this doesnt always happen.

The moving to a new region comment is just "ridiculous" and lacks any "common sense".

I doubt NC being able to read HGs play calls is illegal, cudos their coaching staff (or whomever) for figuring it out or HOWEVER they got the info. Shame on HG for not going to huddle or alternative if they were aware.

HG can definitely play better! Players need to step up and it seems they could do a better job at play calling. Perhaps someone less emotionally involved can do a better job calling plays on both sides of the ball! I heard the same with regards to play calling. Nothing that happens in practice ends up in the game, that doesnt make much sense to me. and this is me, staying out of the QB controvesy.....

#1 has been HGs best "play maker" all year, making something out of nothing. The 3 or 4 6'2" plus group of receivers have some talent and dont get utilized, but with the ground game restricted by injury it isnt likely they will. Passes have been less than accurate, so the reception % seems good considering. Both the O and D line have some pretty significant injuries #56 and #25 (jr is likely to get picked up by Alabama or another SEC power house). Incidently, it is very difficult for an OL to block if the QB isnt where he is supposed to be....

Stay positive and try to get better each week. You win some and you lose some. No reason to jump off a bridge. Plenty of games left in the season, but you gotta be in it to win it! I am a faithful supporter of my team in both good and bad times, that's a real fan!

Amazing how quickly that great support erodes among the Hawks faithful. I am sure the team could play a bit better but only a blind fool would believe the talent level is going to be enough to compete for a region title every single season. OF COURSE it is easier for Ironside and the coaching staff when they have a Days or a especially a Drake to make it happen out there. Great players don't come along every season and ones like Drake likely won't EVER come along again.

And drhouse1971- what in the world do you mean Hillgrove needs to get in a better region? If you can't compete with the better teams of this region, how is it going to help to go to another? Plenty of games left for the Hawks to get it together. They might even surprise you and beat those Indians in that last game.

@NCWarrior your not informed enough to make that comment, because the top 4 teams right now are mhs,NC,marietta,SC so im not sure where your getting harrison. And trust me when I say harrison will not beat hillgrove. it will take some sort of trick.....You can tell when these acworth warriors fans get a couple wins they wanna run there mouths..been this way since peewee days....

common sense

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October 14, 2012

I heard that North Cobb had binoculars On there sideline calling out all our hand signals to there defense... if true is that even legal? Then again shame on us for just calling random routes...

YOU SHOULD GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT BEFORE YOU POST AS YOU ARE ACCUSING OUR TEAM OF CHEATING OR IS IT JUST YOUR WAY OF BEING A POOR LOSER.

Common sense

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October 15, 2012

@warrioralltheway let's not talk cheating, cause you guys been cheating for 3 years crack face... Ask your couch why your running back left to go to alatoona who never lived in Nc district....and they did have binoculars confirmed!

Wuz there

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October 16, 2012

Friday night, how ridiculous is it that someone claims a freaking set of Bino's were dished out to steal some signals from Ironside. With Principals, AD's, County AD and the Superintendant lurking on the sidelines, it'd take a Rambo type of coach to accomplish using some Bino's. Hilarious that someone even came up with this story.

Also, Its very very obvious that you have ZERO, NONE, ZILCH clue as to the actual facts of the RB. You probably got your info from Twitter!

common sense

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October 16, 2012

@wuzthere since you warriors want to try to discredit my sources im going to put the name out there everyone ready if you played north cobb the last 3 years and Quinten james played in the game it should be a forfeit, He does not or have ever lived in that district...And have you not seen or talked to your head coach he looks and sounds like rambo... and the binos where there I have 3 sources that seen them.. its not cheating but it only helps your secondary for that game, how wil they play when they dont know the routes when they come....

Wuz there

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October 17, 2012

Im not necessarily discrediting your sources, Im saying they suck, It sounds to me like you are one of those dads that coached pound ball and know it all or think you know it all. Im guessing the person stating Harrison above, is probably because Harrison is 3-1 in the region and tied for 2nd place. THAT’S where they are getting that from.

And like I said, you have no clue about the RB, you hear something from someone and run with it as its true. Keep thinking you know it all though, its good entertainment on here and shows some of us that you actually know very little.

common sense

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October 17, 2012

@wuz there... my sources are pretty close i know about the whole situation with the running back id rather not put it out there cause the accusation in my opinion was bogus...and as far as harrison you are right im speaking on opinion they are tied for second along with 4 other teams but they will loose the last 4 games to SC,HG,mceachern and marietta if hillgrove had there sched. to date we would be 3-1 and tied for 2nd..So when the season is over comeback and tell me i was right...

Wuz there

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October 18, 2012

I will, however, I believe the Harrison vs Marietta game in wk 10 will determine the final spot.

common sesnse

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October 14, 2012

I am disappointed in friday nights game because I feel we could play better. We are very inconsistent, and unorganized. The small but huge things like field position, converting on 3rd down(offense and defense)those are battles we have lost in the games we have lost.I feel with this team ironside cant call plays off the top of his head, it has to be more structured. we put in several plays every week in practice and i never see them in the games. Lets narrow it down to a few plays perfect those plays let are quarterbacks get comfortable and shake up the line. We have a bunch of guys out and NC is a really good team..

Hillgroves decision not to punt on the 4th down, in the beginning of the game, was the beginning to a disasterous game. Bad decision making skills in this game. Our quarterbacks just don't match up to other teams. Evan Arnold will be the next Gage Henry and they need to realize this. Too bad for the boys, but the offensive line is not good either. They leave the quarterbacks in a huge bind because they can't stop other teams defenses. In addition, Mr. "I have the best hands" missed 5 passes. This was a sad game and the coaches need to get with it. You have 100 boys out on that field. Start utilizing more of them.

Get over it, Hillgrove's finally playing a real team, and got beat, end of story, they need to get out of that region and get in one that has better teams, they can only get better

Billy Mays here...

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October 14, 2012

Ridiculous...I wasn't mad about the 4th down call early in the game. It said two things, one, offense we trust you to get this yard and two, if we don't convert, defense, we trust you to get us the ball back. With a .500 ballclub and a slim shot at a playoff spot why not? Once again, right or wrong Hillgrove is not a "development" program for players. I hear all the time parents complain about "giving" other players a shot. Well it works like this at Hillgrove, starting in the middle schools, they hone in on a kid who they "think" can play because he "looks" like a player, they go with that kid. But once the four or five are identified the middle school coaches are not prepared enough, nor qualified enough to sharpen a kids skills. Sure they put together some wins on the middle school level but by the time the kid gets to varsity they have formed a bunch of bad habits and the varsity coaches don't have time to reverse it. This works well when you have a ton of raw talent like Hillgrove has enjoyed over the past couple of years but now they are left with good kids, not great players, who never had a chance to develop because they rode the pine for 3 years because they didn't "look" like a player. Is it any wonder they are not playing well? If you don't like Hillgrove's philosophy then I'm sure Pebblebrook, Campbell, Kennesaw Mountain or Harrison could use your son's talents. Lastly, I wish you wouldn't try to throw #1 under the bus. That kid as I have said before is the last bona fide D1 SEC ready kid in the program for several years to come. Maybe the 73 yd catch and run Friday wasn't good enough for you or his 25 yd/catch ave he has after 6 ball games.

common sense

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October 14, 2012

@Ridicuous The coaches didnt make decisions to give our team an edge, and all our receivers drops some balls they normally catch, our offensive line SUCKS..as far as more kids being used on offense I think we use too many, and if the name you threw out is #18 he is a long ways from being Gage and if he is put out there with other teams #1's you will see that..just watch our practices,, he can wait his turn like everyone else does.

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